Every highlighter review on the internet says the same thing: "liquid looks the most natural." On deep skin, that's only half true, and chasing the other half is exactly how your glow turns into a grey, patchy mess by 2pm.

Both formulas can look incredible on melanin-rich skin. They just don't do the same job. Here's how to tell which one you actually need, and when it makes sense to own both.

Why the formula matters more on deep skin

Deeper skin tones have more melanin, which means more pigment to compete with for light reflection. A highlighter that reads as a soft, barely-there glow on fair skin can either vanish completely or show up chalky and grey on deep skin, depending on how the formula sits on top of your natural pigment. Powder and liquid behave very differently here, so "which one's better" really means "which one's better for what you're doing today."

Powder highlighter: the low-maintenance pick

Powder highlighters sit on the surface of the skin in a thin, buildable layer. That makes them forgiving, easy to blend out if you go too far, easy to layer with bronzer or blush without the colors fighting each other. They also hold up better through a long day, since there's no liquid base to break down with oil or sweat.

The My TFace – Lite As Air Powder Highlighter is built for this: a silky, buildable formula available in multiple shades, including Pearl, Coco Light, Bronze, Gawld, and Yummy, designed to sit true on deep skin instead of going ashy. Start with a small amount on a fluffy brush and build up, powder is much easier to add to than to take away.

Reach for powder when: you want a glow that lasts through a full workday, you're layering it over powder foundation or setting powder, or you're new to highlighter and want something low-risk.

Liquid highlighter: the lit-from-within pick

Liquid and cream highlighters melt into the skin instead of sitting on top of it, which is why they read as "glowing from within" rather than "glitter on top." On deep skin, that depth can look stunning, but liquid formulas are less forgiving. Too much, and it slides into oily-looking territory by midday, especially on warmer skin.

Liquid Light – Pinkalicious is the easiest liquid highlighter to start with: a warm, rosy shimmer elixir that blends into skin with a fingertip or damp sponge instead of sitting as a separate layer. Pat it onto clean fingertips and press, don't swipe, swiping drags color and can streak on deeper tones.

Reach for liquid when: you're going for a dewy, "no-makeup makeup" look, you're mixing a drop into foundation for all-over glow, or you want more dimension for photos.

⭐ Shop this: start with the one that matches your routine

If you only own one highlighter right now, make it the My TFace – Lite As Air Powder Highlighter, it's the more durable, more forgiving option across multiple shades built for deep skin, and it layers under or over almost anything. Add Liquid Light – Pinkalicious once you want a second, dewier option for photos or special occasions.

Which one actually lasts longer in heat and humidity

Powder wins here, consistently. Liquid highlighters are built on oils and emollients that respond to body heat, which means they can migrate or slide on warm or humid days, especially layered over a dewy base. If you're dealing with heat, humidity, or a long event, powder highlighter is the safer bet. Save liquid for cooler days, photos, or shorter wear.

Can you use both together?

Yes, and on deep skin it's one of the easiest ways to build real dimension. Apply a liquid highlighter first for that lit-from-within base, let it set for a minute, then dust a matching powder shade over the top (for example, Liquid Light – Pinkalicious under My TFace – Lite As Air in Coco Light or Bronze). The liquid gives you depth; the powder locks it in place so it lasts.

The bottom line

Powder highlighter for longevity and control, liquid highlighter for depth and photos, and either one chosen in the wrong shade will still look grey, no matter how good the formula is. If shade is still a question mark for you, our complete guide to highlighting deep skin covers how to pick between warm, cool, and neutral tones.

Ready to build your glow routine? Shop the My TFace line and start with whichever formula fits how you actually get ready. Your Beauty Is Inside.